Dr. Hood’s outstanding contributions have had a resounding effect on the advancement of science since the 1960s. Throughout his career, he has adhered to the advice of his mentor, Dr. William J. Dreyer: “If you want to practice biology, do it on the leading edge, and if you want to be on the leading edge, invent new tools for deciphering biological information.”

Hood was involved in the development of six instruments critical for contemporary biology — namely, automated DNA sequencers, DNA synthesizers, protein sequencers, peptide synthesizers, the ink jet printer for constructing DNA arrays and large scale synthesis of DNA and the nanostring instrument for the single molecule analysis of RNA (and later DNA). These instruments opened the door to high-throughput biological data and the era of big data in biology and medicine. He helped pioneer the human genome program—making it possible with the automated DNA sequencer. Under Hood’s direction, the Human Genome Center sequenced portions of human chromosomes 14 and 15.

In 1992, Hood created the first cross-disciplinary biology department, Molecular Biotechnology, at the University of Washington. In 2000, he left the UW to co-found Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), the first committed to systems approach to biology and disease. He has pioneered systems medicine in the years since ISB’s founding and has argued for a healthcare that is predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory (P4). Hood has made many seminal discoveries in the fields of immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology and biotechnology and, most recently, has been a leader in the development of systems biology and its applications to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as pioneering technologies and strategies that bring systems biology to personalized medicine.

Hood is now pioneering new approaches to P4 medicine and most recently, has embarked on creating a P4 pilot project on 108 well individuals, that is transforming healthcare and leading to a new healthcare discipline termed scientific wellness.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Hood has published 750 papers, received 36 patents, 17 honorary degrees and more than 100 awards and honors. He is one of only 20 individuals elected to all three National Academies—the National Academy of Science, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Medicine. Hood has founded or co-founded 15 different biotechnology companies including Amgen, Applied Biosystems, Rosetta, Darwin, Integrated Diagnostics, Indi Molecular and Arivale.

Hood has also had a life-long interest in K-12 science education and ISB has been a leader in this area.

2017 NAS Award for Chemistry in Service to Society
2016 The UCD Ulysses Medal2015 The Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association Global Achievement Award2014 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Medal for Innovations in Healthcare Technology2014 Geoffrey Beene Builders of Science award presented by Research!America2013 Alvin J. Thompson Award for Leadership in K-12 education and science (awarded by NW Assoc. for Biomed Research)2013 Future in Review, CEO of the year2012 Elected as a Fellow to the American Association for Cancer Research2011 National Medal of Science2011 Fritz and Dolores Russ Prize, National Academy of Engineering2007 Elected Member, National Academy of Engineering2007 Elected Member, Inventors Hall of Fame for the automated DNA sequencer2006 Heinz Award for pioneering work in systems biology2005 AACR-Irving Weinstein Foundation Distinguished Lecturer Award2003 Elected Member, Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science2003 Lemelson-MIT Prize for Innovation and Invention2002 Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology2000 Elected Member, American Philosophical Society1993 Scientist of the Year, Research and Development Magazine1987 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award1982 Elected Member, National Academy of Science1982 Elected Fellow, National Academy of Arts and Sciences

2016-presentCSO, Providence St. Joseph Health
2000-present
President and Co-Founder of the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, WA1992-2000Chairman and Founder of the Department of Molecular Biotechnology at the UW1970-1992Caltech Faculty Member — Chair of Biology for 10 years1967-1970Senior Investigator, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health1967 PhDCaltech1964 MDThe Johns Hopkins School of Medicine1960 BSCaltech